These new data are an essential step towards understanding the operation of these key cells in the immune system, and they could provide a new therapeutic approach to fighting infection. They also suggest that the operation of NK cells must be precisely regulated to guarantee an optimum immune reaction. Details of this work are published in the 20 January 2012 issue of the journal Science.

Our bodies are subject to attack by many different infectious particles (bacteria, viruses, etc.), which surround us in our everyday environment. Various immune cells are activated to fight off these attacks: the first response is from the innate immune cells1, which gradually give way to the memory B and T lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system. The Natural Killer (NK) cells are a part of this first line of defence of the organism. They can selectively kill tumour cells or cells infected by microbes whilst secreting chemical messengers known as cytokines, which stimulate and direct the response of the B and T lymphocytes.

Following the launch of a major genetics programme a few years ago, scientists succeeded in revealing a gene whose deactivation causes heightened functioning of the NK cells (see figure below). This gene, called Ncr1, contributes to the manufacture of the receptor NKp46, which is present on the surface of NK cells. Surprisingly, its role in activating the NK cells has been known for several years.

‘NK cells go through various stages of development before combating microorganisms or tumour cells,’ explains Sophie Ugolini, joint author of the paper. ‘Without this receptor, the NK cells are more reactive and therefore more effective when they encounter the attackers of the organism.”

To test the therapeutic potential of their discovery, the scientists blocked the NKp46 receptor using a drug (in this case, a monoclonal antibody). As in the genetics experiments, this treatment that blocks NKp46 makes the NK cells much more effective.

‘Our aim now is to further explore the underlying biological mechanisms and to work in collaboration with the biopharmaceutical industry and the hospital to evaluate the medical potential of this new type of treatment, particularly for patients whose immune system has already been weakened, such as patients with an immunodeficiency and those who have had a bone marrow transplant or chemotherapy,’ concludes Eric Vivier.

1 Innate immunity is a front-line defence system against tumours and microbes. It immediately acts against microbial agents that come into contact with an organism. Innate immunity is present in all living organisms, and plays an essential role in activating the adaptive response in vertebrates. This compartment of immunity hit the headlines recently when Jules Hoffman of France, Canadian Ralph Steinman, and Bruce Beutler from the USA (another co-author of this paper) received the Nobel Prize for their work on innate immunity and its close links with the adaptive immune system.
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Source

“Tuning of Natural Killer Cell Reactivity by NKp46 and Helios Calibrates T Cell Responses” Emilie Narni-Mancinelli (1,2,3), Baptiste N. Jaeger (1,2,3), Claire Bernat (1,2,3), Aurore Fenis (1,2,3), Sam Kung (4), Aude De Gassart (1,2,3), Sajid Mahmood (4), Marta Gut (5), Simon C. Heath (5), Jordi Estellé (5), Elodie Bertosio (1,2,3), Frédéric Vely (1,2,3,8), Louis N. Gastinel (6), Bruce Beutler (7), Bernard Malissen (1,2,3), Marie Malissen (1,2,3), Ivo G. Gut (5), Eric Vivier (1,2,3,8), Sophie Ugolini (1,2,3)

(1) Centre d’Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix-Marseille University, Campus de Luminy case 906, 13288 Marseille, France.

(2) INSERM U1104, 13288 Marseille, France. 3CNRS, UMR7280,13288 Marseille, France.

(4) Apotex Center, Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E, 0T5, Canada.

(5) Centre Nacional d’Anàlisi Genòmica (CNAG), Parc Científic de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.

(6) INSERM, U850, University of Limoges, University Hospital Limoges, 87060 Limoges, France. (7) Department of Genetics, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. (8) Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Marseille, Hôpital de la Conception, 13385 Marseille, France.

Science, 19 janvier 2012, DOI : http://dx.doi.org/RE1215621/BPO/IMMUNOLOGY

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Eric Vivier
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About the ‘Natural Killer Cells and Innate Immunity’ team

The Natural Killer Cells and Innate Immunity team was created at the CIML by Prof. Eric Vivier in 1995. Its aim is to decrypt the detection systems and tolerance mechanisms of the innate immune system’s killer lymphocytes.

The team has helped to shed light on the role and operation of NK cells and, more generally, the molecular mechanisms responsible for cellular activation.